Service regulator



7 Oct. 8, 1940' NIESEMANN Re. 21,597

SERVICE REGULATOR Original Filed July 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0d. 8,1940- F NlESEMANN Re. 21,597

SERVICE REGULATOR Original Filed July 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \l H H II W @WL 9 Q wis w i in X rrrr 3 0 m 200 300 44 .500 600 700 8D Avowmsmcuesc. FEH PERHouk-Apb Fri-{Z Niedemam,

Ream-ed on. s, 1940 "UNITED STATES SERVICE REGULATOR Fritz Niesemann,Pittsburgh, Pa; aasignor to Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company.Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 2,182,701,dated December 5, 1939, Se-

rial No. 228,224, September 2, 1938, which is a division of Serial No.736,595, July 23, 1934. Application for reissue December 5, 1939, SerialClaims.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for regulatinggas pressures, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for 4regulating pressures in response to changes in I, fiow in the type ofapparatus commonly known to the trade as service regulators. I

In certain weight loaded or spring loaded regulators of this type asheretofore constructed, as the flow through the regulator increases, the

10 outlet pressure drops, this drop being caused, among other things, bychange in effective area of the diaphragm, the impact effect of the gas,and the swirling and internal losses of the gas in passing from theregulator body into the line; and in the spring loaded type, aifurtherdrop is caused by expansion of the spring, which changes the spring loadon the diaphragm. However, regulators of this type are intended to keepthe outlet pressure constant within the whole range of the capacity ofthe regulator, and in some cases it is desired even to increase theoutlet pressure with increased rate of flow to compensate for linepressure drop between the regulator and point of application of the gas.

This tendency of the outlet pressure to fall oil! heretofore has beenovercome by using a suitable loading or boosting device in which theregulator chamber is sealed from the valve, the valve operating meanspassing through a relatively loose stufllng box or small sealingdiaphragm, and a differential pressure creating device in the outlet ofthe regulator is connected with the diaphragm chamber. However, suchdevices are complicated, expensive to manufacture and too costly for useon small sized pipe lines, where simplicity of construction is verydesirable.

Further, unless the regulator is properly designed, there is a. tendencyof the diaphragm to pulsate and cause rapid fluctuations in the rate offlow from the outlet.

According to the present invention, the regulator chamber is connectedto the outlet of the regulator; and the incoming gas to the regulatorisdirected at a relatively high non-swirling velocity through theregulator chamber into the outlet pipe of the regulator, therebyaspirating the regulator chamber, and the movement of the regulator tomaintain the pressure constant in-the regulator chamber further opensthe valve, thereby causing a higher outlet pressure of the regulator orloading of the line pressure. The flow capacity of the regulator also isincreased; It is my theory that the non-confined flow of gas in thespace between the inlet and outlet of the regulator assumes the form ofa streamline flow with a vena contraeta similar to the flow in a Venturitube, and the aspirating effect is due to the high velocity at the venacontracta.

Another possible theory is that the inner film of gas adheres or clingsto the surface of the valve as it passes there-along, from the inlet tos the outlet, the suction effect in the outlet preventing excessivespreading of the outer film of the gas stream so as to produce anaspiratlng eflect. According to this theory it is necessary only toguide, direct or induce the gas to-fiow along one surface only, such asthe valve surface, the gas being maintained in its direction of flow byadhesion to the valve surface causing it to assume a streamline flow.This unconfined streamline flow, whatever may be the theoreticalexplanation thereof, I call a directed unconfined flow. However, I donot wish to be confined to this theory in claiming my invention. With myconstruction it is not necessary to shape the walls of the space betweenthe inlet and outlet of the regulator to confine the gas to a Venturiform, and consequently this space becomes a part of the regulatorchamber, and the valve operating means can be passed through theregulator chamber without the use of a stufling box or other sealingmeans to separate the regulator chamber from the inlet or outlet.

Where a. spring is employed for loading the diaphragm in a regulatordesigned according to my invention, the spring load on the diaphragm isdecreased because of the expansion of the spring which follows thetravel of the diaphragm. I overcome this decrease in spring load byusing a spring designed so that its change in length produces arelatively small change in the pressure exerted thereby on thediaphragm. The tendency of the diaphragm to pulsate is overcomebyproviding a damping air chamber or relatively small volume on the sideopposite the regulator chamber with a relatively small vent therefor.Further, I employ a valve seating material which has the requiredtoughness to resist cutting by the valve and is soft enough to providecomplete shutoff at relatively low closing pressures.

In the preferred embodiment of the inventlon I provide a. regulatorhaving its inlet and outlet in substantial alignment and a valveassembly wherein the valve is surrounded by a fixed sleeve whichterminates short of the outlet and gives to the incoming gas its formand spring within the limit of directs it into the outlet pipe. Thediaphragm chamber is directly connected to the space between the inletand outlet which forms a part thereof and is aspirated by the gasflowing therethrough. Thisaspiration of the diaphragm chamber increaseswith increase in flow and thereby permits further movement of thediaphragm in the direction to open the valve.

The aerodynamically designed sleeve of this invention can be applied toregulators already in use whereby such regulators will operate toincrease the outlet pressure with increased rate of flow and it iswithin the scope of my present invention to modify existing regulatorsby the addition of this novel sleeve.

The valve is fully opened when the valve closure is at a distance fromthe valve seat of about one-fourth the diameter of the inlet oriflce,and the movement of the diaphragm therefore is this distance times theleverage connecting the diaphragm to the valve. The spring employed forloading the diaphragm has such properties that a change in elongation ofthe spring equal to the movement of the diaphragm between full open andfull closed positions of the valve causes a change in loading effect ofthe boost caused by the aspirator elfect in the regulator. In this waythe outlet pressure may be maintained constant or an actual boost inoutlet pressure can be accomplished. The spring is initially compressedto provide a fixed minimum or initial load on the diaphragm, and thelength of the compressed spring is such as to provide for adjustment ofoutlet pressures over a wide range while maintaining the spring load onthe diaphragm within the limits of boost of the regulator. The stliferthe spring the greater the range of adjustment possible within certainlimits.-

In the spring loaded type pulsation is eliminated by having the coverclosely conform to the diaphragm thereby providing a small air chamberfor damping which has a small vent to the atmosphere. In the weightloaded type of regulator this is not feasible because it often isdesired to change the number of weights. Accordingly, in this type Iprovide a cover for the weights and the cover for the diaphragm closelyconforms to the weight cove In this way a change in the number ofweights does not change the damping eil'ect.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod of regulating pressures to overcome the tendency for the outletpressure to drop with increase in load, by passing gas at a relativelyhigh velocity through the regulator chamber into the outlet to producean aspirator eilect tending to lower the pressure in the regulatorchamber.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus regulating gas pressuresin which means is provided for passing gas at a relatively high velocitythrough the regulator chamber into the outlet in a form to produce anaspirator eifect tending to lower the pressure in the regulator chamber.

Another object is the provision of a regulator having an increased flowcapacity.

A further object is the provision of a regulator the diaphragm chamberand outlet.

A further object is the provision of a damping air chamber over thediaphragm of relatively small volume and having a relatively small ventillustrated in Figures ing an adjustment: and

sure regulator in its chamber. A

to the atmosphere to prevent pulsation of the diaphragm.

Still another object is the provision of a spring loaded regulator inwhich the spring has a small change in loading eflect through the rangeof operative elongation.

Still another object is the provision oi a valve seat having therequired degree of toughness and softness to give complete closing ofthe valve over a long period of time.

Still another object of my present invention is the provision of a novelvalve assembly com prising an aerodynamically designed sleeve which canbe applied to regulators already in use to improve the operatingcharacteristics of such regulators so that in operation the supplypressure will increase with an increased rate of ilow.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a pressureregulator responsive to flow conditions which is of simple design,inexpensive to manufacture and is eil'icient in operation. Other objectswill be apparent from a consideration of the following description takenin connection with the annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of my invention in verticalsection;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section view of the casing on line 11-11 ofFigure l, the lever and valve being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section of the valve and seat taken on lineIII-III of Figure 1:

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic enlarged view of a regulator having myinvention applied thereto, the valve being shown in open position andthe flow of the fluid being indicated Figure 5 is a similar diagrammaticenlarged view of a regulator without the invention, the lines showingthe flow of the fluid;

Figure 6 shows a vertical section of a modiilcation of my inventionusing loading weights:

Figure 'I shows curves representing the relation of flow to outletpressure of the regulators 4 and 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in section show- Figures 9 and 10 areform of adjustment.

This application is a division of my co-pending4 application, Serial No.736,595, filed July 23, V19

Referring to Figure l of the drawings, the presgeneral construction isof comprises a lower shell or detail views oi a modified well known formand casing I and a cover 2 detachahly secured thereto 7 by bolts orsimilar means. A 3 is clamped at its periphery flexible diaphragmbetween the cover and lower casing and an attachment lug 4 is securedthereto by a screw I diaphragm I, the washer 5 and plates I and I inwell known manner. The bottom chamber I is subject to the outletpressure of the gas, and the upper chamber II is vented to theatmosphere by a small vent hole Ii. The cover 2 leaves a relativelysmall air space above the diaphragm, and in conjunction with the smallvent hole effectively damps or prevents pulsation of the diaphragm.

The lower shell is tapped and threaded to provide an inlet connection I!and an outlet connection II, the outlet connection being in constantcommunication with the regulator chamber I through a suitable largelateral passage 5' which may be considered as part of the regulatorvalve assembly comprises a hollow valve member I (Figures 1 and 3)passing through the bushingor which is threaded into the inlet untilsealing shoulder Ii is abutted. The valve member It has a reducedportion I which is tapered at its end to provide a sharp edge I1, and itwill be seen that in the open position gas flows through inlet l2 andvalve orifice or passage ll of the valve member ani out through outleti9.

Thepassage Ilisadaptedtobeclosedor throttled by a valve seat member I.of the valve assembly comprising a cup like shell 2| within which issecured the valve seat. This seat comprises a disc 22 of steel or othersuitable material having an undercut groove 29 and a seat of "paraprene"is vulcanized thereto and inserted in the shell 2|, and is retained inplace by striking out or punching the metal cup 2i opposite the undercutportion, or in any other suitable manner. "Paraprene is an imitation orsynthetic rubber product produced by polymerization of divinyl andcontains sufllcien't mineral filler to give it a density of about 75 or80 by durometer test. It is highly resistant to gasoline and otheraliphatic hydrocarbons. A spring wire retainer 24 passes through a holein the side of shell 2i and is coiled about the inside thereof aroundthe steel disc which has a reduced end to.

accommodate the same.- The opposite end of the wire is reversely bent inhairpin shape and passes through a hole 29 in lever 29 which is pivotedat 21 to the lower shell I and is pivotally secured at its other end tothe bifurcated attaching lug 4. As shown in Figure 2, the end of lever29, to which the valve I9 is secured, is of less width than the diameterof the valve and thus lies substantially within the confines of the gasstream, which, as explained below, is of tubular form.

A sleeve 30 forming part of the valve assembly surrounds the valvemember I4 and seat member l9 being secured thereto by a set screw 29,and is spaced sufllciently from the seat member I9 to provide an annulararea ll whereby gas can flow from the inlet I! through the passage 9'when the valve is open. The sleeve 30 and valve member Il may be in theform of an integral fitting if it is so desired. The annular passage Siis substantially in alignment with the outlet l9 so that gas flows atrelatively high velocity through the annular area 8|, across passage 9and into the outlet I3 thereby producing an ejector or aspirator effectwithin chamber 9 tending to aspirate or exhaust the same so that theactual pressure within the chamber 9 is less than the gas pressurewithin the outlet passage it. It is therefore, evident, as shown inFigure 4, that a tubular flow of the fluid is first induced followed byan expansion of the fluid stream into the form of a solid cylindricalbody. The sleeve preferably at all times projects above the bottom ofthe valve seat so that regardless of the amount the valve is opened thearea of the annular space or inlet 3| remains nearly or substantiallyconstant. The greater the flow of gas through the ejector sleeve 30 thelower will be the pressure in chamber 9. A threaded cap or cover 32 islocated at the side of the casing and provides access to the valvemember l9 and fulcrum 21 for assembling the parts.

The ring 90 may be readily applied to existing regulators, the form ofmounting shown permitting such replacement to be readily made. The topof the fitting which corresponds to valve member It in existingregulators may be shaped to receive the ring 99, or a fitting similar tofitting It may be provided.

The cover 2 carries a spring 29 within a suitable recess, and anadjustment nut ll within the sleeve is set to develop the desiredpressure upon the diaphragm 3. This sleeve is adapted to be closed andsealed by a cover ll. The spring is designed so that it is initiallycompressed to about two-thirds of its length to provide itsnormalworking pressure and the full adjustment range between high andlow outlet pressures is made by a variation of one-third of the lengthof the pring.

In operation, the inlet I2 is connected to a gas main and the outletpipe leads to a gas burner or other domestic gas consuming appliance. Inthe closed position of valve ll, l9, and with no gas being consumed thepredetermined pressure of the spring I! is balanced by the gas pressurein chamber 9. As soon as a burner is turned on and gas flows thereto thepressure in chamber 9 is reduced and no longer balances spring 35whereupon the spring forces the diaphragm 2' downward, pivoting lever 29about its fulcrum 21 and causing the seat II to rise and open passageII. This permits gas to flow into the regulator chamber 9 to restore thepressure.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that in the ordinary type serviceregulator the gas spreads out into the connecting passage 9' in more orless swirling flow, and is even apt to strike the diaphragm therebyraising the same against the action of the spring. Raising the diaphragmhas the effect of reducing the outlet pressure, and thus, in thisconstruction. the outlet pressure falls oil. rapidly as the flowincreases. Heretofore it was thought necessary to restrict or seal thepassage 9' to prevent this action.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the gas is directed throughthe annular space it into the outlet in streamline form with a venacontracta, or an expansion of the fluid stream,

-which aspirates the chamber 9' through the passage 9'. This evacuatingor aspirating eil'ect tends to pull down on the diaphragm and increasesthe outlet pressure with increase of flow.

The action of the regulators shown in Figures 4 and 5 will be betterunderstood by a comparison of the test curves shown in Figure '1. Theregulators are identical except that the one shown in Figure 4 has thesleeve or ring Ill applied thereto. Curve A represents the outletpressure of a inch spring type regulator employing my invention as shownin Figure 4, and curve B represents the outlet pressure of the regulatorwith the ring 99 removed, as shown in Figure 5. Curve C represents theoutlet pressure of a regulator employing the ring 99 of my invention,but spring 95 has been replaced with a spring of usual form. The outletpressure is set for five inches of water. It will be seen from curves Aand C that there is a marked diilerence in the outlet pressure as thevolume flow increases. In curve A the outlet pressure remains close to5" of water until the flow gets to about 250 cubic feet per hour, andthen rises, whereas in curve B the outlet pressure rapidly falls afterabout 150 cubic feet per hour flow. Curve C is substantially parallelwith curve A after the flow gets to about 400 cubic feet per hour. Itwill be seen from a comparison of curves A and C that the combinedeffect of spring 35 and ring 90 of the present invention is to shiftcurve C upwardly. Further, it will be seen that the capacity of theregulator shown in Figure 4 is greatly increased. Capacity is measuredas the volume flow at a pressure not less than one inch below the setpressure, and according to curve B the capacity is about 280 cubic feetper hour permit movement of the diaphragm with a small factor of safetyin the clearance. The volume ofwhereasthecurveflshowsthecapacitytobewell abcvemcubicfeetperhour.

Inthemodiflcationshowninl'igure0,aseriesofweishtsisemplwedtolcadtheregulatordiaphragm.IAkepartsin-thismodiflcationarecorrespondingly numbered. The diaphragm Iis clampedbetweenthebodylandacoverl',whichishighenoughtopermittheinsertionofaweightcssefluponthediaphragm-Ascrewtlpames through the weight case. the bottomof which is usedtoreplaceupperpiate1,andpassesthrough thediaphragmlandlower plate l,theattachmentluglbeingsecuredtheretorapluralityofweightsarelocatedintheweightcasefcrloadingthediaphragmandthecaselscoveredbyasuitable friction cover llheldinplace byanut I! threadedonthesc'rew.

Itwillbe'observed thatthecover I closeconformstotheshapeandsiseoftheweightcaseasoastoleavearelativelysmallairspace therebetween, and the vent llisalsovery small. The clearance at the top is lust about enough to airin this chamber is very small and the'movement of the diaphragm andweight casing produces a high compression in the chamber which escapesonly slowly and produces a damping action on the diaphragm movements.

Thestructureshowninl'lgure lisdesignedto give substantially the maximumpressure boost in the outlet of the regulator. and in some cases anadjustment of the amount by which the outlet,

pressure increases as the flowincreases may be desirable. Figures 8. 9and 10 disclose adjusting means which may be applied to the regulator ofFigure l or the modified regulator ofl'lgure 6.

Referring to Figure 8, a vane or shield 48 iscarriedbyarodorahaft,-thelatterbeingjournalled in suitable openings inthe cover I. The shaft 44 preferably projects outside of thehousingsothatitcanbeturnedtoadjusttheposition ofthevanelt.'lhevaneflmaybepositioned byturningshaftlltodlvertpai'tofthew streamissuing from the ring 3| into the diaphragm chamber, where it creates animpact pressure, thus lowering the amount bywhich the out let pressurewill increase with an increased rate of flow. when the vane ll isrotated counterclockwise to the dotted line position, it will notinterfere with the stream issuing from the ring ll.

Flgures9and10discloseasimilartypeofatliustment where the adjustableshield or vane is mounted on the lever 28. A vane l is secured to theflat top of the lever 20 by a screw ll. By loosening the screw ll, thevane ll can be set'in the dotted line position to divert a part of thestreamissuingfromtheringilintothediaf; phragm chamber. The adjustmentshown by I'lguresiland locanbeaddedtotheregulatorin the fleld bysubstituting a lever it fitted with the vane 45 and the screw it for thelever already the regulator. The invention may be embodied in otherspeciflc form without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. bodiment is therefore to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Whatisclaimed anddesiredtobesecured by United States Letters Patent is:

The present em-' 1. In a pressure regulator or controller, acasingprovidingapressurecontrolchamber,acontrol member adapted tofluctuate in responseto changesinpremirewithinsaidchambenaninletforfluidunderpressure,anoutletoppositesaid inlet. a valve assemblycomprising a valve seat attheinnerendofsaidinletandavalvehaving a facearranged to oil-Operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow intosaid chamber, said valve assembly comprising means to induce a tubularfluid flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve toform a substantially solid cylindrical stream, and means located betweenthe valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream andconnecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to andfrom its seat in response to fluctuations of said control member,saidmeansbeingofawidthlessthanthediameter of said valve whereby saidstream directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet tocreate an aspirating effect in said,

chamber.

2. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressurecontrol chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response tochanges in pressure within said chamber, an'inlet for fluid underpressure. an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising avalve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a facearranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow intosaid chamber, said valve assembly comprising means to induce a tubularfluid flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve toform a substantially solid cylindrical stream, and means located betweenthe valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream andconnecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to andfrom said valve seat in response to fluctuations of said control member,said means lying substantially within the conflnes of the tubularportion of said stream whereby said stream directly and substantiallyuninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in saidchamber.

3. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressurecontrol chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response tochanges in pressure within said chamber, an inlet for fluid underpressure. an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising avalve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a facearranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow intosaid chamber, said valve assembly comprising a tubular membersurrounding and spaced from said valve seat and valve, and of a lengthto extend to a point adjacent the seat end of said valve when thevalveisinfullopenpositiontoinduceatubular flow around the face of saidvalve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solidcylindrical stream. and means located between the valve face and theexpanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said control memberand said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response tofluctuations of said control member, said means lying substantiallywithin the conflnes of the tubular portion of said stream wherebysaidstream passes directly and substantially uninterruptedly into saidoutlet to create an aspirating effect in said chamber.

4. In a pressure regulator or controller. a casing providing a pressurecontrol chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response tochangesinpressurewithinsaidchambehanim let for fluid under pressure, anoutlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat atthe inner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged toco-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber,said valve assembly comprising a collar mounted around said valve seatand extending to a point adjacent the seat end of said valve when thevalve is in full open position to induce a tubular flow around the faceof said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solidcylindrical stream, said collar being slightly larger in diameter thansaid valve seat and valve to deflne an annular space therearound, andmeans located between the valve face and the expanded portion ofthe-fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve tomove said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of saidcontrol member, said means lying substantially within the confines ofthe tubular portion of said stream whereby said fluid stream directlyand substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create anaspirating effect in saidchamber.

5. In a pressure regulator, the combination with a casing having aninlet and an outlet opening in substantial axial alignment. of adiaphragm in said casing disposed at one side of the common axis of saidinlet and outlet openings, a valve seat threaded in said inlet openingand having an external annular flange, a valve member co-operating withsaid seat and operatively connected with said diaphragm, said valvemember and diaphragm being mounted in a common chamber within saidcasing, and said chamber being clear and unobstructed except for saidvalve member and connections, so that gas may flow freely therethrough,and a hollow cylindrical baffle surrounding saidinlet opening, and saidvalve member being mounted to reciprocate within said bailie but out ofcontact therewith, whereby an annular passage between said valve memberand baffle is provided, and the latter serves to direct the current ofgas toward said outlet opening, and prevent it from impinging upon saiddiaphragm.

6. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressurecontrol chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber adapted to move in responseto changes in pressure within said chamher, a spring biasing saiddiaphragm in one direction, an inlet for fluid under pressure, an outletopposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at theinner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged to co-operatewith said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chambensaid valveassembly comprising means to induce a tubular flow around the face ofsaid valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid,cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face and theexpanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said diaphragm andsaid valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response tofluctuations of said diaphragm. said means being of a width less thanthe diameter of said valve, whereby said stream passes directly andsubstantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspiratingeiIect in said chamber to oii'set the change in load caused by thechange in elongation of the spring between full open and full closedpositions of the valve. g

7. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressurecontrol chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber adapted to move in responseto changes in pressure within said chamber, a spring bi said diaphragmin onedirection, an inlet for fluid under pressure, an outlet oppositesaid inlet. a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end ofsaid inlet and I a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with saidseat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assemblycomprising a tubular member to induce a tubular fluid flow around theface of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantiallysolid cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face andthe expanded portion of the fluid stream and con- .necting saiddiaphragm and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat inresponse to fluctuations of said diaphragm, said means being of a widthless than the diameter of said valve whereby said stream passes directlyand substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create anaspirating eifect in said chamber to offset the change in load caused bythe change in elongation of the spring between full open and full closedpositions of the valve.

8. In a pressure regulator; a pressure responsive chamber, an outlet incommunication with said pressure responsive chamber, an inlet to saidpressure responsive chamber adapted to project gas toward said outlet ata relatively high velocity to create an aspirating effect in saidpressure responsive chamber, pressure responsive means subject to thepressure in said chamber for controlling flow through said inlet, andadjustable means to divert part of the gas stream into said diaphragmchamber.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said adjustable means comprises apivotally mounted vane adapted to be moved into the gas stream projectedfrom said inlet.

10. In a pressure regulator, the combination with a casing having aninlet and an outlet opening in substantial axial alignment, of adiaphragm in said casing disposed at one side of the common axis of saidinlet and outlet openings, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat atthe inner end of said inlet, and a second valve assembly having a facearranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow intosaid chamber, a tubular member around said valve and orifice and securedto one of them extending between the seat end of said valve and saidorifice when the valve is in full open position to induce a tubular flowaround the. face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form asubstantially solid cylindrical stream, said tubular member beingslightly larger in diameter than said valve seat and valve to define anannular space therearound, and means located between the valve case andthe expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said controlmember and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat. inresponse to fluctuations of said diaphragm, said means lyingsubstantially within the confines of the tubular portion of said streamwhereby said fluid stream passes directly and substantiallyuninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in saidchamber.

nozzle comprising a stationary valve member with the mouth of saidnoaale providing a valve seat;adiaphragminsaiddiaphragmcompartmentresponsive to the pressure of said fluid, a movable valve member spacedinwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and having a face ofgreater area than the noaale openingdeflnedbysaidvalveseatlocatedintbedirectpath of flow of the enteringfluid. said movable valve member when open causing an abrupt change inthe direction of flow of the entering fluid impinging on said face andsaid face seating on said valve seat when the movable valve member isclosed; motion transmitting means interconnecting said diaphragm andmovable valve member for actuating the latter in response to pressurechanges in said diaphragm compartment; and a deflector on one of saidvalve members disposed along an edge of said valve face, said deflectorhaving a short fluid deflecting wall extending toward said outletopening with said wall having a free terminal edge within said valvecompartment disposed adjacent said valve members closer to the valveface than to said outlet opening, and said valve compartment beingthereby substantiallyfree from obstruction to fluid flow between saiddeflector and, said outlet opening so that the redirected fluid, afterleaving said deflector, is unconflned and capable of free expansionduring the remainder of its passage through the valve compartment andcreates a low pressure region within said valve compartment between thevalve and the outlet opening, and said passage being open to said valvecompartment adjacent said low pressure region so that the latter iseffective by aspiration through said passage to reduce the pressure insaid diaphragm compartment.

12. In a pressure regulator. a caang formed with a valve compartment anda diaphragm compartment, said compartments being interconnected by apassage of suflicient size to allow free exchange of fluid therebetween;an inlet nozzle for introducing high velocity fluid under pressuredisposed in one portion of said valve compartment and an outlet openingprovided at a spaced portion of said valve compartment. said nozzlecomprising a stationary valve member with the mouth of said nomleproviding a valve seat; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartmentresponsive to the pressure of said fluid, a movable valve member spacedinwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and having a planarface of greater area than the nozzle opening deflned by said valve seatisposed normal to the direction of flow of the entering fluid, saidmovable valve member when open causing an abrupt change in the directionof flow of the en fluid impinging on said face and said face seating onsaid valve seat valve member for actuating the latter in response topressure changes in said diaphragm compartment; and a deflector on oneof said valve members surrounding the edge of said valve face, saiddeflector having a short fluid deflecting wall ex tending toward saidoutlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edge within saidvalve sposed adjacent said valve memthe valve face than to said outletopening, said valve compartment being substantially free fromobstruction to fluid flow between said deflector and said outlet openingso that the redirected fluid, after leaving said deflector, isunconflned and capable of free pansion du i g "from said nozzle. saidthe, remainder of its e through the valve compartment and creates a lowpressure region within said valve compartment between the valve and theoutlet opening, and said passage being open to said valve compartmentadjacent said low pressure region so that the latter is eflective byaspiration through said passage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragmcompartment.

13. In a pressure regulator, a casing formed with a valve compartmentand a diaphragm compartment, said compartments being in opencommunication with each other by means of an unobstructed connectingpassage of fixed cross-sectional area and suiiicient sin to allow freeflow of fluid therebetween; a stationary valve member comprising a fluidinlet nozzle in said valve compartment at one side of said passageand-an outlet opening in said valve compartment at the other side ofsaid passage; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartment responsive tothe pressure of said fluid; .a movable inlet control valve member spacedinwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and operativelyconnected to said diaphragm and having a face disposed in the directpath of high velocity fluid emerging valve face serving to abruptlychange the direction of flow of the incoming fluid; and a deflector onone of said valve members extending closely along an edge of said face,said deflector having a short fluid deflecting wall extending towardsaid outlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edgewithin-said valve compartment disposed adjacent said valve memberscloser to said valve face than to said outlet opening and being locatedwholly at the same side of said passage as said inlet nozzle, saiddeflector wall being positioned to intercept said deflected fluid toprevent it from impacting said diaphragm and to redirect said fluid awayfrom said diaphragm and toward said outlet opening, and said valvecompartment being substantially free from obstruction to fluid flowbeyond said deflector whereby said redirected stream is free andunconflned after leaving said deflector and while traversing thatportion of the valve compartment which is adjacent the valve compartmentend of said passage, said fluid flow creating an aspirating actioneflective through said passage to lower the pressure in said diaphragmchamber.

14. In a pressure regulator, a valve compartment provided with inlet andoutlet openings for a high velocltyflfluid under pressure, a diaphragmcompartment and a passage of sufllcient size to permit free exchange offluid between said compartments; a tubular nozzle member flxed in saidinlet opening and projecting into said valve compartment, the dischargemouth of said nomle member being formed to provide a valve seat; adiaphragm in said diaphragm compartment. a valve member in said valvecompartment spaced from the walls of said compartment and carried whollyby said motion transmitting means and amotion transmitting connectionbetween said valve and diaphragm, said valve member having a flat facedisposed normal to the direction of fluid flow through said nozzle; anda short deflector wall mounted on one of said members and completelysurrounding said valve face for intercepting fluid deflected by saidface and for redirecting said fluid away from said diaphragm and towardsaid outlet opening, said deflector wall extending toward said outletopening with said wall having a free terminal edge within said valvecompartment disposed adjacent said valve member closer to the valve facethan to said outlet opening, and said valve compartment being therebysubstantially free from obstruction or restriction to the flow of saidfluid between said deflector and the outlet opening and said redirectedfluid stream creating an aspirating eflect eflective through saidpassage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

15. In a pressure regulator, a valve compartment provided with inlet andoutlet openings for a high velocity fluid under pressure, a diaphragmcompartment and a passage of suflicient size to permit free exchange offluid between said compartments; a tubular nozzle member fixed in saidinlet opening and projecting into said valve compartment, the dischargemouth of said nomle member being formed to provide a valve seat; adiaphragm in said diaphragm compartment, a valve member in said valvecompartment spaced trom the walls of said compartment and carried whollyby said motion transmitting means and a motion transmitting connectionbetween said valve and diaphragm, said valve member having a flat facedisposed normal to the direction of fluid flow through said nozzle; anda deflector wall comprising a short thin annular collar having anarcuate fluid deflecting surface extending along the edge 01 said valveface mounted on one of said members and completely surrounding saidvalve face for intercepting fluid deflected by said face and forredirecting said fluid away from said diaphragm and toward said outletopening, said valve compartment being substantially free fromobstruction or restriction to the flow of said fluid between saiddeflector and the outlet opening and said redirected fluid streamcreating an aspirating action eflective through said passage to reducethe pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

FRITZ msmmz.

